Sizzle & Substance

There's no denying that the intersection of Sand Lake and Turkey Lake roads is frequently bottlenecked. On this particular late-November Tuesday afternoon, the average wait time was four minutes. During a bad rush hour, expect closer to 20 minutes.

The traffic light sits roughly one-third of a mile from International Drive and about 500 feet from an Interstate-4 interchange that carries thousands upon thousands of locals and visitors daily, taking them to Walt Disney World, Universal and downtown Orlando.

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Yet, for many people, such delays are well worth the time.

That junction also leads to a haven for discerning diners and connoisseurs of eclectic cocktails called Restaurant Row, along with the quiet neighborhoods of Dr. Phillips, marked by upscale real estate and distinct community consciousness.

"It's a tight-knit community," offers Tricia Stamper, a five-year resident of Dr. Phillips who lives with her husband and two young daughters. She has been in Metro Orlando since 1997, living in downtown Orlando, Winter Garden and in South Orlando's sprawling Hunter's Creek development. Also a girl-scout leader, she has no plans on leaving Dr. Phillips, largely because "it has a really good family vibe."

Stamper paints a very different picture of this community from what others might see along Sand Lake Road, noting "people know each other through their kids' activities." She points to places such as the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA, the Dr. Phillips Little League and St. Luke's Methodist Church, which offers multiple youth sports programs. She cites "church row" on Apopka Vineland Road and touts the "tremendous amount of conveniences." She also talks about restaurants, just not ones written about in dining guides.

Neighborhood residents, she describes, will certainly venture out to one of the dozens of fine and fancy establishments along Restaurant Row. They are more apt, however, to meet up at the Gator's Dockside tucked away in Grand Oaks Village, on the corner of Conroy Windermere Road and Dr. Phillips Boulevard. Another popular gathering place is TooJay's Original Gourmet Deli, located nearby in The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips.

Essentially, Dr. Phillips has an elongated rectangular shape that is bordered by Orange County arterial roadways like Sand Lake, Apopka Vineland, Conroy and Turkey Lake. Yet, at the heart of the community are circles — enclaves of activity in the form of shopping/dining centers. And the centers are plentiful, including The Marketplace and Grand Oaks Village, anchored by The Fresh Market. But there are more. Others go by the names of Phillips Crossings, Rialto, The Fountains at Bay Hill, Plaza Venezia, Dr. Phillips Center, Phoencia, Dellagio and Sandpointe.

Of all, the Marketplace is quintessential Dr. Phillips. In terms of demographics, Dr. Phillips' population of roughly 11,000 is composed mostly of executive and managerial professionals, but nearly three in 10 working adults are employed in sales and services industries. Aptly serving the nearby neighborhoods, the Marketplace has a bit of something for almost everyone among its 65-plus shops, restaurants, salons, spas, anchor stores and other businesses. Upscale dining includes Morton's Steakhouse and Christini's Ristorante Italiano. Then there are the staples:

Einstein Bagels, Chipotle Mexican Grill, The Flame Kabob and El Inka Grill (Peruvian). And of course, a Publix supermarket; this one houses the Aprons Cooking School, which offers classes for numerous types of cuisine.

"Our [store] is hopping all day, and that really speaks to the diversity of the shopping center," says Jennifer Tribble, owner of Pigtails & Crewcuts, a kids-oriented salon in The Marketplace, which also houses the elegant Acqua Day Spa.

Christini's is especially worthy of mention not only because of its Italian dishes like Gnocchi Bolognese and Linguine Alla Primaversa, but also its history. Back in 1984, the restaurant's opening helped put Dr. Phillips on the map, cracking the door to Restaurant Row. Later, that decade saw the arrival of the refined Chatham's Place Restaurant. And the corner of Turkey Lake and Sand Lake hasn't been the same since then.

The 1980s, in fact, were foundationally significant for Dr. Phillips. Its name comes from citrus magnate Dr. Phillip Phillips, who purchased his first Orange County grove in 1905 and is credited with key innovations in the processing and packaging of oranges, grapefruits and tangerines. He also helped to master plan the community. His original grove property, along the shores of Sand Lake, is now the site of Sand Lake Hospital, which opened in 1985.

Two years earlier, the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Family Center opened its doors, and shortly thereafter adjacent land became the Dr. Phillips Little League fields.

On Dr. Phillips Boulevard, the YMCA and Little League aren't far from Palm Lake Elementary. The Brookdale Senior Living center is adjacent, surrounded by middle-class residential developments that are rich in character and have a strong sense of community. Children to seniors fit right in here.

"It's really sort of a small community in a bigger metropolitan area," Tribble says.

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Ryan Smith, executive director of the Dr. Phillips Y, moved into the neighborhood when he took the job in 2014. Generally speaking, the Y's mission is to serve as a hub in strengthening community. For Smith, that task hasn't been difficult at Dr. Phillips.

"Before I came here, I didn't know what Dr. Phillips was. Just being a part of this community and watching the care and concern that our neighbors show one another,

it's special. The people truly want this to be a community, and it shows."

Culinary Cruising

The dining attractions dubbed as Restaurant Row don't exactly line up one next to the other. They are randomly scattered in shopping centers along the 1.4-mile stretch of Sand Lake Road just west of Interstate-4. And they are almost legendary.

enclaves is the farthest from I-4. This center features everything from B (Big Fin Seafood Kitchen) to Z (Zou Zou A Chic Boutique). For dining, most notable are the "medicinals" and "pharmaceuticals" served at The Pharmacy, where some 11 tables and bar seating are hidden behind elevator doors. Try the creamy marrow mixed with aged sourdough and topped with an oxtail and fig spread. Two other finds are Urbain 40, a sort of 1940 neighborhood eatery, and the stylish Dragonfly – Robata Grill & Sushi, with its especially popular happy hour among the locals of Dr. Phillips.

Insider tip: Visit Trader Joe's, a grocery store opened last April that is quirky enough to give the neighborhood's Whole Foods Market a run for its money.

Just up the road on the opposite side, back toward I-4, are venerable Roy's and Season's 52. These longtime staples continue to thrive even as the competition heats up. At Roy's, the Shellfish Sampler is a highlight with lobster tail, seared crab cake and Teppanyaki shrimp, while Roy's Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé clearly isn't overrated. At Season's 52, the chef's table is worth the trip. At least eight diners can be seated comfortably, and the views of the bustling kitchen, along with the special service, add to the experience.

Also located in the sprawling Plaza Venezia are Eddie V's Prime Seafood, Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar, and the Corona Cigar Company. Dimly lit Eddie V's is reminiscent of a 1950s supper club. The house-made tortillas with grilled sweet corn pico are a good way to start; live jazz is a great way to end. Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar becomes more bar with DJ than restaurant as the night grows longer.

The Fountains at Bay Hill and Rialto

Directly across Sand Lake Road from Plaza Venezia is Vines Grille & Wine Bar. While the steak is appealing, the nightly live music in the Jazz Lounge (beginning at 7 p.m.) and wine selection are better. Within a short walk are the upscale steak-and-seafood options of classic Ruth's Chris Steak House and sophisticated Ocean Prime (at the Rialto), where the Berries & Bubbles martini — served bubbling and smoking in dry ice — deserves attention.